Yes, these are very different schools, but that’s what our decision is coming down to. We are in-state so UW is a great school at a great price. LMU and Chapman are a better size, more personalized and a more desirable location (D has wanted to go to LA). But I think UW has more name recognition and even with her merit scholarships, it’s a savings of at least 50%. Help.
What does your daughter want to study ?
What’s the major and/or area of interest? For some, being in LA can help a lot. And of course there is the Chapman film school which is top notch.
Chapman and LMU are expensive though, as is just being in LA, and attending college a flight away. 50% savings is huge.
My family didn’t take name recognition into account, but that’s just our situation. This may also depend on the major or post grad plans. We concentrated on fit, and program/location (for one of my kids who is a Theater major. She is at LMU and really loves it. She definitely gets personalized education and has great mentor relationships, not only in her major but also in her added major and minor).
She wants to major in English with a possible double major in Marketing, Communications or Journalism.
@TS0104 Thank you. LMU is her current preference. I replied above that she wants to major in English and plans to double major or minor in Marketing, Communications or Journalism. She had a shadow visit day at both LMU and Chapman and I think she is leaning toward LMU for its location. She is worried that there is nothing within walking distance (Chapman has a cute town nearby). We can afford any of the schools but we also want to consider value and how well the school sets her up for the next phase of her adult life. I welcome any thoughts you have about LMU and your D’s experience.
For communications, Chapman & LMU might be the better options. Doubtful that one could double major in marketing at UW if not admitted to Foster–But I am not sure on this point.
My D has made the double-major, add a minor thing work. It’s taken two summers of summer school, but in terms of being allowed/able/how to do it, she’s had a great experience figuring it all out, especially with the Screenwriting minor which is in the competitive film school.
It’s a good assessment about walking distance options from LMU. Out the back gate, you can walk through a neighborhood and get to a busier road with coffee shops, restaurants, etc. It’s definitely not like Chapman’s cute walkable town (we visited Chapman). My D has a car and makes use of it, but more for work/babysitting and outside projects and classes. There are activities and shuttles to get out and about, including one to nearby Playa Vista which is nice, lots of dining and retail options (my D lives in an apt there) and a LOT of kids use Uber and Lyft a lot.
My D has a lot of great things to say about LMU; if I were to name a top benefit or strength from my perspective, it is the passion and dedication of her professors and the mentor relationships she is developing and using. We also both appreciate the Jesuit philosophy and culture…my D, in a non-religious way but she embraces and cultivates the philosophy of “whole self” and service to others. I feel like this comes through on the campus and with the students and professors when I am visiting. All that said, she knows a few people who go to Chapman, and they are all happy too 
@TS0104 Thank you–this is very helpful. She does like the little town of Orange, but heard from kids who attend that you fairly quickly exhaust the options and there isn’t as much to do in the surrounding area of Orange County/Irvine. LMU offers the LA location so while it lacks the cute college town, it offers a lot in the way of access to a major city. Hearing your D’s experience is helpful as I think my D will want to explore double majors and minors. There is a lot to think about. UW is so big that I’m concerned she’ll get lost in the shuffle and they may lack the flexibility of LMU (or Chapman). Thanks again for your insights.